Defensive ammo for 38+p snub?

[rvb]

Hello,

Looking for a good ammo choice for my 642 .38 spl +p carry gun. I've been using Speer, but it seems to have hard primers, and occasionally I get a light strike that requires me to pull back around and hit it a second time. I like the accuracy, but the light strikes are way too common. The gun is bone stock. No trigger work, etc.

Thanks!
-rvb

 

[bigcraig]

I have used the Corbon 110gr DPX 38spl+P in my S&W 442, functioned 100%.

(Note, I traded off my J-frame for lack of use.)

 

[Bubbajms]

I run golden sabers in my 438 and haven't had a hickup.. (I have mine on me right now - no trading off for this guy!)

 

[CoyoteCreekGuns]

I would HIGHLY suggest 130 grain Winchester Bonded PDX1 38 Sp +P. It's a premium self defense round with amazing ballistics. My wife carries it in her S&W 642 and I have carried it in my LCR .357 as well (before switching over to .357 defensive rounds by Buffalo Bore).

 

[NIFT]

I would HIGHLY suggest 130 grain Winchester Bonded PDX1 38 Sp +P. It's a premium self defense round with amazing ballistics. My wife carries it in her S&W 642 and I have carried it in my LCR .357 as well (before switching over to .357 defensive rounds by Buffalo Bore).

Per Dr. Gary K. Roberts, Letterman Army Institute of Research:
"Currently, the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +P JHP and Barnes 110 gr XPB all copper JHP (for ex. in the Corbon DPX loading) offer the most reliable expansion we have seen from a .38 sp 2” BUG; the Winchester 130 gr bonded +P JHP (RA38B) and Hornady 110 gr standard pressure and +P Critical Defense loads also offer good performance out of 2" barrel revolvers."

Source:
BUG's: .380 ACP vs. .38 Sp - M4Carbine.net Forums

 

[kludge]

Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short-Barrel +P or Remington 158gr LSWCHP+P for me.

 

[Denny347]

Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short-Barrel +P

^^^^^^^We are issued this and I have shot it quite a bit out of my 642. Never had a single problem with it. Seems to be the best snubbie ammo at the moment, hard to find locally. I carry it with 100% confidence it it's ability to protect me/my brothers/my family.

 

[WLW]

Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short-Barrel +P or Remington 158gr LSWCHP+P for me.

That is a ditto for me! I do lean towards the LSWCHP+P though most of the time.

 

[gabrigger]

Another vote for .38 +P 158gr. LSWCHP

 

[Bubbajms]

Maybe with the amount of Speer love going on, you may want to get your revolver checked out - any of the fans ever have trouble with hard primers?

 

[sbcman]

My two favorite factory 38 loads are the Speer and Federal's Standard Pressure Nyclad (125 or 158). Plus, with the Federal load you get a nice soft Federal primer.

I've never had any trouble lighting off the Speer load in any of my j's (or k's or l's).

 

[Cam]

Hello,

Looking for a good ammo choice for my 642 .38 spl +p carry gun. I've been using Speer, but it seems to have hard primers, and occasionally I get a light strike that requires me to pull back around and hit it a second time. I like the accuracy, but the light strikes are way too common. The gun is bone stock. No trigger work, etc.

Thanks!
-rvb

I'd be more interested in what's wrong with the gun rather than changing ammo. Factory springs or have the hammer and rebound springs been changed?

 

[slow1911s]

Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short-Barrel +P

Rhino let me run 5 of these through a snubby I picked up and I'm sold. All shots landed minute of a small plate, with a few within 2-3" of another. Works for me.

 

[SSGSAD]

Hello,

Looking for a good ammo choice for my 642 .38 spl +p carry gun. I've been using Speer, but it seems to have hard primers, and occasionally I get a light strike that requires me to pull back around and hit it a second time. I like the accuracy, but the light strikes are way too common. The gun is bone stock. No trigger work, etc.

Thanks!
-rvb

I don't know about the 642, but I have an adjustment screw, on my mod. 19, so with a screwdriver, I can adjust my spring, and make my hammer hit as hard or as light as I want .....

 

[CountryBoy19]

I don't know about the 642, but I have an adjustment screw, on my mod. 19, so with a screwdriver, I can adjust my spring, and make my hammer hit as hard or as light as I want .....

642 the springs have to be changed out to change pressure.

I lightened the spring on my 642 but I haven't shot the ammo the OP had problems with so I can't attest one way or the other...